3 Los Angeles Lakers head coach candidates with existing ties to LA

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 12: President of the Los Angeles Lakers Jeanie Buss speaks during a banner unveiling ceremony for the Los Angeles Lakers 2020 NBA Championship before the game against the Houston Rockets at Staples Center on May 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 12: President of the Los Angeles Lakers Jeanie Buss speaks during a banner unveiling ceremony for the Los Angeles Lakers 2020 NBA Championship before the game against the Houston Rockets at Staples Center on May 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
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(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

2. Darvin Ham

Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach from 2011-2013

Darvin Ham had a longer tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers as an assistant coach as he spent two seasons with the team with his emphasis on the coaching staff not being the Xs and Os, but in developing players on the roster.

He was signed to the Atlanta Hawks coaching staff prior to the 2013-14 season and was with the team until he followed Mike Budenholzer to the Milwaukee Bucks when Bud got that job. Ham has been serving as an assistant ever since.

These are the kind of coaching candidates that the Los Angeles Lakers should be after, not the big-name head coaches that have not won much in their chances. Ham seems to be one of the most respected assistant coaches in the league and there is always the chance of hitting gold when hiring someone like this.

Just look at the Boston Celtics. The Celtics could very well win the NBA Championship this season and it is just the first season that Ime Udoka is the head coach. The Celtics did not hire some big-name coach, they took a chance on a well-respected assistant coach who has been exactly what the team needed.

Success has followed Ham wherever he ends up coaching.